Premiere audiences pleased with 'Find A Way,' based on Harry Cohen

Published: Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 05:26 PM.

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“Find A Way” screenings continue at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Williams High School auditorium, 1307 S. Church St., Burlington. Tickets are $10.

Though the film is only loosely based on the life and tragic death of Harry Cohen, those at the premiere of “Find A Way” said it captured their memories of the star Williams’ quarterback’s big heart.

In the movie, Billy “Smiley” Cain Jr. is a school football hero and a friend to many. During the weekend after a big game, he’s found unresponsive and dies a short time later in the hospital. The religious film depicts his friends’ reactions to the news in the midst of familial conflicts.

Some of the film’s images — including actual footage of Cohen’s Aug. 26, 2011, game leading the Williams football team to a 27-17 victory over Southern Alamance — were especially powerful. An opening sequence also features a football player in a number 5 jersey, Cohen’s number, being carried on the team’s shoulders.

“Find A Way” screenings continue at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Williams High School auditorium, 1307 S. Church St., Burlington. Tickets are $10.

Though the film is only loosely based on the life and tragic death of Harry Cohen, those at the premiere of “Find A Way” said it captured their memories of the star Williams’ quarterback’s big heart.

In the movie, Billy “Smiley” Cain Jr. is a school football hero and a friend to many. During the weekend after a big game, he’s found unresponsive and dies a short time later in the hospital. The religious film depicts his friends’ reactions to the news in the midst of familial conflicts.

Some of the film’s images — including actual footage of Cohen’s Aug. 26, 2011, game leading the Williams football team to a 27-17 victory over Southern Alamance — were especially powerful. An opening sequence also features a football player in a number 5 jersey, Cohen’s number, being carried on the team’s shoulders.

17-year-old Cohen died Aug. 29, 2011, three days after his record-breaking game. Doctors and his family believe he took some of his grandmother’s pain medication for his sore muscles, leading to a fatal drug interaction. His death brought the community together, rallied around memorials, scholarships and projects in his honor.

“I feel like he touched a lot of people and influenced a lot of people’s lives and I think the movie did a good job of showing that. It was really emotional. It was kind of overpowering,” said Katie Peeler, a senior at Williams and a friend of Cohen’s.

“Find A Way” is premiering this weekend in the Williams auditorium. Screenings continue through Sunday night. More than 200 attended the first, 6 p.m. showing Friday. Several hundred more had arrived to watch the 8 p.m. screening as that first audience left.

“This is your film, your community’s film. We hope to get it into theaters but we need your help to spread the word about it … This is not the final version. This is a version we made for this weekend,” said Cornelius Muller, the executive producer and supporting actor in “Find A Way.”

The movie was shot in and around Alamance County and features a number of local actors and actresses as well as several faces recognizable from film and TV. Muller mentioned some of the local faces in the film Friday and thanked local producers for their help in making the film.

During production, Muller said he wanted to make a film to honor Cohen’s story and impact on others as a friend and a Christian. "Find A Way" doesn’t delve into the cause of the player's death, focusing instead on the emotions of those around "Smiley." Cohen’s storyline is used to frame the film and present religious questions.

Several of Cohen’s relatives said they were pleased with the film and its interpretation of teen’s story. They fought back tears as they described their reaction.

Kathy Hinshaw, Cohen’s mother’s stepmother, said the film was difficult to watch because it dredged up the grief and pain of losing him again.

“But this is a wonderful thing for them to do,” Hinshaw said, remarking how people from all over the world had reached out to the family and been touched by Cohen’s story.

“I think his story was used the way he would have wanted it to be. I think if Harry had been here to approve it, he would have,” Patti Cook, his aunt, said. “I thought they did a great job portraying how he did smile and how much he cared for people.”